GP accused of poisoning his mother’s partner is charged with making ricin
A GP accused of poisoning his mother’s partner has now been charged with the production of a chemical weapon.
Dr Thomas Kwan appeared in court on Wednesday where it emerged that the 52-year-old had been charged with producing and using ricin on Jan 22.
At a previous hearing in February, Dr Kwan was charged with the attempted murder of Patrick O’Hara, who is in his 70s, on the same date.
At Newcastle Crown Court, the bespectacled doctor, from Ingleby Barwick, Teeside, appeared via videolink and spoke only to confirm his name.
The court heard he was charged with both the production and use of a chemical weapon, ricin.
The details of the charge allege he produced the weapon over a three week period from January, before using it on the day of the alleged attempted murder.
The case will centre on an allegation that Dr Kwan delivered the ricin by way of an injection administered to Mr O’Hara at a house in central Newcastle.
The alleged victim collapsed and was rushed to the city’s nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary in a serious condition.
No update on his condition was given in court.
No pleas were entered by Dr Kwan, who appeared before Judge Paul Sloan KC, the Recorder of Newcastle.
A provisional trial date was set for July 29, with two pre-trial hearings scheduled on May 20 and July 4.
Judge Sloan told Kwan: “You will be required to attend your trial in person at court. In other words you must leave your cell and travel to court. If you were to refuse this the trial could be conducted in your absence.”
The Sunderland based GP’s first appearance in court on February 7 came hours after forensic searches were carried out at Dr Kwan’s £300,000 detached home in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees.
A lengthy search of the property was conducted involving police officers and firefighters in chemical protection suits.
Northumbria Police have also revealed that a woman has been arrested in connection with the enquiry.
A spokesperson said: “A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”
